Michigan State football: Worst head coach hires in program history

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker watches a play against Central Michigan from the sideline during the second half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023.
Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker watches a play against Central Michigan from the sideline during the second half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023.
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EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 14: Head Coach Bobby Williams of the Michigan State Spartans looks on from the sideline against the California Golden Bears on September 14, 2002 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. California defeated Michigan State 46-22. (Photo by Danny Moloshok/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 14: Head Coach Bobby Williams of the Michigan State Spartans looks on from the sideline against the California Golden Bears on September 14, 2002 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. California defeated Michigan State 46-22. (Photo by Danny Moloshok/Getty Images)

Bobby Williams (2000-02)

Michigan State had a very tough time replacing Nick Saban. Saban wasn’t all that great for the Spartans, but he did return the team to its winning ways for the first time in the ’90s despite NCAA sanctions. Then in his final year he went 9-2 before heading to LSU. It was a slow rebuild and it didn’t stick once Bobby Williams took over.

Williams finished Saban’s final year with a Citrus Bowl win and had his interim tag removed, but he didn’t even finish his third year before being fired. He went 5-6 in the first season, then 7-5 with a Silicon Valley Bowl win.

In his third season, he went 3-6 before being fired.